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Top 10 Things To Do While Volunteering Abroad In Lima, Peru

Lima, the capital city of Peru, is a bustling metropolis with plenty to offer for volunteers looking to explore the city and culture. Here are 10 things to do while volunteering in Lima, Peru:

1. Visit the historic city centre:

Lima’s historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to many important landmarks and buildings, including the Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral of Lima, and the San Francisco Monastery.

2. Explore the Miraflores district:

Miraflores is one of Lima’s trendiest neighborhoods, with plenty of restaurants, cafes, shops, and parks to explore. Don’t miss the Malecon, a scenic walkway along the coast.

3.Visit the Huaca Pucllana:

The Huaca Pucllana is an ancient adobe pyramid located in the heart of the city. It’s a fascinating example of the pre-Columbian architecture that can be found throughout Peru.

4. Try the local cuisine:

Lima is known for its delicious food, which includes ceviche, lomo saltado, and ají de gallina. Be sure to try some of the local specialties while you’re in the city.

peru cuisine

5. Take a day trip to Pachacamac:

Pachacamac is an ancient Incan archaeological site located just outside of Lima. It includes pyramids, temples, and other ruins, and is a fascinating glimpse into Peru’s history.

6. Visit the Larco Museum:

The Larco Museum is one of Lima’s top museums, with a vast collection of pre-Columbian art and artifacts. Don’t miss the museum’s famous erotic pottery collection!

larco museum lima peru

7. Learn Spanish:

Volunteering in Lima is a great opportunity to improve your Spanish skills. There are many language schools in the city that offer classes for all levels, and of course, practicing with locals can be the best way to improve your Spanish.

speak spanish

8. Attend a peña:

A peña is a traditional Peruvian music and dance performance that’s often held in restaurants or bars. It’s a great way to experience the culture and have fun with locals.

peru pena celebration

9. Take a surfing lesson:

Lima’s beaches are known for their great waves, and taking a surfing lesson is a fun and exhilarating way to experience the coast.

surfing in lima peru

10. Volunteer with a local organization:

Finally, don’t forget that you’re in Lima to volunteer! There are many local organizations that could use your help, and MEDLIFE is one of them. If you are passionate about poverty reduction, aiding access to quality healthcare, and creating sustainable change, MEDLIFE’s Service Learning Trips might be for you. To learn more, visit our website today!

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Hear it From MEDLIFErs

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Reya Seby
Western University

This trip motivated me more to pursue a career in the healthcare field so that I can use my resources to help those who need it the most, similar to MEDLIFE’s mission.

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Victoria DiCanio
University of Connecticut

It was most enjoyable to finish the hard work and see how big a difference a group of individuals can make. It was such an amazing experience.

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Anita Woo
University of Toronto

I enjoyed the mobile clinics the most, especially the dental and triage portions. I would definitely recommend a MEDLIFE trip, it was a great experience.

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David Saff
Maclay High School

The most enjoyable part of my trip was hanging out with the amazing group of kids I was with. I would highly recommend a MEDLIFE volunteer trip to others.

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Sydney Sansone
Nova Southeastern University

This trip made everything that I was learning in my public health courses come to life and immersed me in a new culture while also learning about medicine.

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Abygail Youmans
College of Charleston

Being involved with MEDLIFE is not like joining another club - its bigger than that. It is about joining a movement that seeks to help change people’s quality of life for forever.

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Emi Hofmann
University of Central Florida

Not only was I able to participate in a week long Mobile Clinic, shadowing doctors of all types of specialties including pharmacy, dentistry, gynecology, and more, but I was also able to learn about the culture and visit incredible places.

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Julian Takagi-Stewart
University of Toronto

One thing that I really loved about this trip was that MEDLIFE made sure that the volunteers got an understanding of the complexity of issues that lead to underprivileged people in communities outside of the main city

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Hannah Van Hofwegen
University of Ottawa

Whether it was basketball with the local kids, assisting the doctors, talking with families, building washrooms, holding babies, or spending time with the people who were on the SLT with me, this was an amazing opportunity that I would do over and over again.

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Isabelle Holt
Cornell University

I loved learning about the patients MEDLIFE has followed and how they offer real help to people with chronic/urgent conditions. It is amazing how the organization formed real connections with the communities.

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Valerie Lindeborg
Parent

Our family had the privilege of participating in multiple trips with Nick [founder] and his amazing staff. Their expertise made the trips unforgettable while instilling in my boys the fundamentals of good character: selflessness, compassion, and empathy.

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Harry Vildibill
University of Georgia

As an aspiring physician, MEDLIFE motivated me to further continue my goal of becoming a doctor. In fact, I enjoyed the Tanzania Service Learning Trip so much that I decided to go on another trip to Cusco, Peru.